Unveiling invisible climate im/mobilities: mixed-methods case study of a drought-prone rural area of Kersa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Recent research on the environmental migration nexus emphasises the need to consider immobile populations alongside those who migrate. A subset of these immobile groups is particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors and lacks the capacity to either adapt or move, a condition often referred to as involuntary immobility or “trapped populations”. Despite growing recognition of this phenomenon, limited knowledge exists on how such immobile households with low adaptive capacities navigate multiple crises, particularly those driven by climate change. To address this gap, we provide a nuanced analysis of immobility in a remote, drought-prone region of Eastern Ethiopia. Using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, we (i) identify populations at risk of involuntary immobility through quantitative analysis of data from the Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System and (ii) investigate the aspirations and im/mobility dynamics of these populations through qualitative survey data collected in September 2022. Our findings reveal distinct im/mobility patterns, especially among elderly residents, farmers and young mothers, shedding light on the adaptive and survival strategies employed. These strategies often manifest as short-term, short-distance movements, which have become increasingly prevalent in response to everyday challenges. Further research should explore how these micro-mobilities may signal a form of precarisation of individuals.